By Gayle Saunders
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Albert Haynesworth is on his way to his fourth team to rebuild his career and believes that Tampa Bay might be the place to get back on track.

After being cut by the New England Patriots, the Bucs claimed Haynesworth on waivers. On Thursday Haynesworth got a chance to practice his new team, and practiced in full pads and went through all the team’s drills.

The All-Pro Defensive Tackle said that Bill Belichick was a great guy, but Haynesworth was interested in a team where he could play more. In Tampa he thought he would have the right situation for his services.

“I’m excited,” Haynesworth said, according to the St. Petersburg Times. “This is where I should have been, like, three years ago. I think all good things come to somebody who waits.”

By Gayle Saunders
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Currently there are reports from major media outlets that the Washington Redskins and Tennessee Titans are in discussions about trading disgruntled lineman Albert Haynesworth.
The sources have spoke to The AP on condition of anonymity since the talks are confidential.

Washington signed Haynesworth to a contract worth $100 million in 2009, Hayneworth accepted a $21 million bonus in April. Since then It’s been a nonstop battle between coach Mike Shanahan and Haynesworth. Haynesworth came into training camp unhealthy and was not pleased about his nine-figure contract or the 3-4 defensive scheme the Redskins were trying to implement.

It’s being rumored that currently the Titans and Redskins are still apart on the agreement, as the ‘Skins want two draft picks for their over-payed lineman. If Tennessee does follow through with the trade, they would get Hayneworth at a discounted price because the Redskins already paid his hefty roster bonus.

Its seems like Shanahan is definitely thinking about the stability of his locker room and the overall team chemistry with this move. If Haynesworth isn’t traded or just out right benched, it would be pretty tough to swallow paying a guy who makes all that money to sit and do nothing.

By Gayle Saunders
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Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth has made it clear that he does not want to play for the Washington Redskins. He will most likely skip the team’s mandatory minicamp which starts today and has formally requested a trade, his agent, Chad Speck, told the media on Tuesday.

“He is frustrated that he was not used last year the way he was promised he would be and now the current organization is not one he would have ever considered a year ago,” Speck said.

The most troubling thing for Haynesworth is he’s unhappy that the Redskins are switching to a 3-4 defensive scheme under new coach Mike Shanahan and new defensive coordinator Jim Haslett. However Haynesworth is best suited as a nose tackle in a 3-4, but he feels this would restrict his freedom to make the kinds of plays that made him a beast for seven seasons with the Titans.

As a free agent last year he signed a seven-year, $100 million contract that included $41 million in guaranteed money to join the Redskins. Things haven’t really went Hayneworth since his arrival. Last year he was frequently injured, out of shape and his attitude was a topic of discussion. Albert finished with only four sacks and questioned the team’s leadership as the Redskins ended the season with a 4-12 record under Coach Jim Zorn.

New leadership arrived in the form of Mike Shanahan, but Haynesworth hasn’t been to happy. He showed that, by not showing up for the team’s voluntary offseason conditioning program, stating he thought he needed to work with his own trainer to get his power and strength that he had in previous seasons.

Haynesworth stands out as the only player to not attend the first two minicamps, which were both voluntary, in hopes that the Redskins would trade him. Shanahan stated that a trade wasn’t going to happen.
Haynesworth is still looking for that trade to happen and he hopes it will be before training camp begins next month. He made it very clear that the current Redskins defensive scheme is not what he signed up for.

“When I signed here after meeting all day with the staff and top executives, and talked about the defense that we would run and what my role would be, I was assured I would have the freedom to play to my strengths and I was excited about the future,” Haynesworth’s statement said. “After many years in the NFL, I know what it takes for me to perform at my highest level. My number one goal has always been to help my team win — period.

“It’s also important at my position to help free my teammates to make plays, which I’ve done throughout my career when I’ve been allowed to play to my strengths. I will continue to work individually to prepare for training camp and the start of the 2010 season.”

Haynesworth’s announcement caught the Redskins off guard. They were expecting him to be ready to go an on the practice field today.

When Haynesworth gets to your QB its not a good thing.

There is a recent buzz that two big men with big resume’s might be on the move and soon. In Washington, there are mixed reports that Albert Haynesworth is being shopped meanwhile in the Big Apple, Jason Taylor is set to visit the New York Jets.

With Haynesworth, the Redskins have been mentioned that they were shopping the big man for a couple of reasons. One report said that Mike Shanahan himself didn’t really feel warm and fuzzy shall we say after meeting with Haynesworth. Other reports say that Haynesworth isn’t the most liked man in the locker room and Shanahan is looking to build team unity and may be wanting to end any riffs that might have existed and hampered the Jim Zorn era.

The problem with moving Haynesworth is his contract. The Skins recently just paid his bonus of $21 Million and last offseason he signed a $100 Million dollar contract over 7 years. Without a Cap and it’s ramifications, now would be a time that a team could make a move to get one of the best Defensive Tackles in the League. He also has made claims he doesn’t want to play Nose Tackle in a 3-4 Defense and that’s what the Skins are likely to move to!

I say Haynesworth stays in DC with a new offense and hope!!

The question is whether or not Haynesworth is really available. Recently a Redskins executive said that he was not available and all reports of moving him are false. Some rumors say he was part of the Donovan McNabb negotiations but nothing ever came of it.

Only time will tell right now and this time of year, smokescreens are as common as offseason workouts so take “reports” with a grain of salt.

In New York, the J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets are meeting with longtime Miami Dolphin Jason Taylor. The move to New York would put Taylor on his 3rd team in as many years. After his brief stint in Washington, Taylor went back to Miami only to find himself on the Free Agent market. The Jets are very familiar with the skill set that Taylor brings but there might be a snag in signing him.

The NFL installed a rule to maintain competitive advantages for the bottom dwellers known as the “Final 8″. Basically, the last 8 teams in the league at the end of they year are limited to the Free Agents they can sign the following year. The Jets have already signed LaDainian Tomlinson so if they do offer Taylor a contract, it has to be at a very low cost so they don’t violate the league rule.

The bigger question is how Taylor would be welcomed in New York. He has had a history with the City and their fans after playing for so long with the hated Dolphins! Some reports say that Rex Ryan and the team wouldn’t have issue with Taylor and understandably so but there might be some relationship patching up needed especially with the fan base.

Jason Taylor and Albert Haynesworth can still add value to any roster, especially the latter. Look for Taylor to sign with the Jets and get a last gasp run at winning a Championship and Haynesworth to stay put. All the chatter about personality conflicts is usually put to bed quick when a legend coach like Mike Shanahan walks into the room and let’s face it, game changing Defensive Tackles don’t grow on trees and when you have one, you hold on to him. Ask the Titans, who let him walk, about the difference he made or the Patriots, who were wise enough to make a longterm deal with Vince Wilfork!

Players on the move – Who will have most impact in their new town?

Terrell Owens, Jay Cutler, Brian Dawkins, Albert Haynesworth, Michael Vick and Brett Favre are all guys finding themselves in new homes heading into 2009 season. Some players come to a new team and have a major impact while others just simply relocate. Let’s take a look at who will have the biggest splash with their new squad.

Yes that is Jay Cutler in a Urlacher jersey...let the boys have some fun

JAY CUTLER 2.0

Right off the bat it has to be Jay Cutler heading to the Bears. He has superstar potential and is still very young having joined the league in 2006. Last season with Denver, Jay enjoyed his first Pro-Bowl throwing for over 4500 yards, he moved it but…he didn’t really score it well. Some things about Jay Cutler from a Bronco fan…

He trusts his arm way too much. Jay throws a lot of interceptions because of his exceptional arm strength and the fact he thinks he can make every throw. Jay moves the ball well between the 20’s but not inside the Red Zone where his decision making has been questioned. I have seen many goal line interceptions that just frustrate you.

• Exhibit A
• Exhibit B
• Exhibit C

All his issue’s aside, Jay has a big upside and long term potential and I think his ceiling is unlimited. He can be as good as the best if he matures and learns to hit a check down.

I am guessing that Matt Forte will greatly help Jay Cutler improve on those Red Zone turnovers.

He's a Bad Bad Man!

The second player who will bring major impact is Albert Haynesworth to the Redskins. The big fella is a dominant Defense Tackle that has the size and power to play different techniques along the D-Line. In a 4-3 he is a perfect 3 technique where he can use his quickness coming from off the outside shoulder of the guard. He is also big and strong enough to anchor the 0 Technique, the Nose Tackle position.

For Eagles fans... this just doesn't look right.

Brian Dawkins to the Broncos should have some impact. The old 2008 team out in Denver desperately lacked leadership and Dawkins will be a welcome boon to their roster. The veteran safety was a staple in Philadelphia for over a decade and was truly cherished by the fans. Brian Dawkins is like a coach on the field and will be a welcome presence to a team that lacked leadership in 08.

Could the Popcorn be stale in Buffalo?

Some people have different thoughts of the TO signing

Terrell Owens could make the Buffalo offense click. With Lee Evans, Marshawn Lynch and James Hardy, the Bills have the weapons for Trent Edwards to succeed. The biggest question mark for the Bills has to be at offense line. They traded Jason Peters to the Eagles then decided to go defense with their 11^th overall pick in the draft. With the 28^th selection which they received from Philly, they pick up an O-Lineman in Eric Wood who I like. He probably won’t help right away but he will eventually be a good, tough pro. I also like the Jairus Byrd selection; he is versatile and will be a good Special Teams player. The Bills made some good moves and some questionable ones, it will be interesting to see how it pans out in a tough division.

Will Farve stay healthy in 09 or will he tarnish his legacy?

Adrian Petersen speaks his mind or at least gives it a shot (speech classes anyone?)

Who am I? this is a tough one

The jury is still out on the impact that Brett Favre will have with the Vikings. He is obviously a Hall of Fame QB who feels he can still play at the highest level. The Vikings have the defense and running game to challenge the Bears for the NFC North crown. The question’s are at receiver where the young Percy Harvin has the all the tools but is young and unproven paired with Sidney Rice, who is solid and Bernard Berrian who is fast enough to stretch the field. The North should be an interesting division.

Could Vick make an impact at WR,QB, or at the Wildcat Offense???

The player that has been a lightning rod for off-season discussion is Michael Vick. At his point in the season we don’t really know how much impact he’ll have for the Philadelphia Eagles. How much he will play and when he will be back to game ready after a huge layoff is still unknown. When he is on his game, Vick is one of the most electric football players in the league, often times looking unstoppable with the ball in his hands. His impact as a back up may be limited, as this is still Donovan McNabb’s team, but he has the potential to be a huge lift for the Eagles. Andy Reid will find unique ways to use him and late in the season in a close game, when the Eagles need to move the chains, Vick could quickly earn his stripes in the Wildcat formation.

What’s the Skinny on the off-season movement – In a QB necessary league look for the acquisition of Jay Cutler to have the biggest impact this season, if the Bears receivers can get open and the line provides the time, the Bears could make a big playoff push in 2009.